There is a plethora of scientific documentation regarding the positive effects on athletic performance of correctly applied sport psychology, goal-setting and other psychological motivational tools. There is also ample evidence that these areas are the most under-utilized training techniques in the sport. Coaches are not using even the techniques they understand.
90% Mental and 10% Physical
It is often said that gymnastics is 90% mental and 10% physical. If that is true, certainly there should be some training time devoted to the mental aspects of the sport and psychological training tools. It appears that even those coaches who believe in mental training, there is more verbal support than actual training.
The National Team Uses a Sports Psychologist
The U.S. National Team has been seriously working with sports psychologists since at least 1992, after the Barcelona Olympics, dealing with problems such as overly high expectations, pressure and stress management. In the areas the program has addressed, there seems to be believable evidence that this program has been a success and contributed to success.
Positive Environment vs. Screaming
One of the most important aspects for a mental training program is the creation of a positive gymnastics environment. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that a positive mental environment is a prime basis for training and competitive success. In spite of this, the typical gymnastics coach seems more apt to follow the Bela Karolyi School of Yelling, Screaming and Negative Feedback. Perhaps his “screaming” success in the sport has led other coaches to believe that his success is a result of that screaming instead of in spite of it.
Emphasize the Positive
Elite gymnasts tend to have particular traits that include intelligence, perfectionism and careful attention to detail. A well designed mental training program would include methods of accentuating a gymnast’s positive traits and minimizing their negative traits.
Need a Comprehensive Mental Training Program
Our research has led us to believe that there has never been a comprehensive mental training program developed, much less implemented. In fact, even we have had trouble deciding even what words to use to describe the non-physical aspects of training for this article.
Program and Products
What we have been able to do is to put together the most complete mental training program ever devised for the sport of gymnastics (or perhaps even any sport) and have designed and developed mental training products for gymnasts to use.
General Products are Needed
While up to now our mental training program has primarily been delivered in one-on-one personal training sessions and mostly for gymnasts with specific problems to overcome, we are now developing general mental training products designed to both solve common gymnastics problems and provide positive movement forward.
Contact us for one-on-one personal sessions or custom designed mental training products. Further information for doing that is on our Consulting page.
The following are some of the sessions, services and products we offer or can develop for you:
Relaxation Training
Numerous relaxation techniques approaches exist, with a wide range of philosophies and styles of practice. Most techniques involve repetition (of a specific word, sound, phrase, body sensation or muscular activity) and encourage a passive attitude toward intruding thoughts.
Deep or Brief Relaxation Methods
Deep relaxation methods include autogenic training, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. Brief relaxation methods include self-controlled relaxation, paced respiration and deep breathing.
Other Relaxation Techniques
Other related relaxation techniques include guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation. Guided imagery involves imagining situations to cause muscular and mental relaxation. Progressive muscle relaxation aims to teach people what it feels like to relax by comparing relaxation with muscle tension.
Jacobsen’s Relaxation Training
One type of relaxation called Jacobson muscle relaxation, or progressive relaxation, involves flexing specific muscles, holding the tension and then relaxing. The technique involves progressing through muscle groups one at a time, beginning with the feet, up to the head, spending about one minute on each area. Progressive relaxation may be practiced while lying down or sitting. This technique has been proposed for anxiety and even pain relief.
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Related posts:
- The Pyramid of Positive Gymnastics Psychology
- The Inspiration and Motivation of Gymnasts
- Summer Gymnastics Goals
- The 8 C’s of Motivation
- Why Young Gymnasts Have No Apparent Drive or Motivation
My daughter is an Allstar Cheerleader and currently has a “Tumble Block”. She is afraid to do basic tumbling skills that she has down hundreds of times before. Her coaches are frustrated with her and don’t always give her the positive help she needs. Yet, she is not mad at them & I too understand their frustration. Yet, I don’t know how to help her. I read your sports psychology page and I am interested in your relaxation techniques in hopes that they may help her.
This article about bars and gymnastics fear covers everything that can be done without a more formal intervention.
http://gymnasticszone.com/gymnastics-fear-scared-on-bars
Check it out and see if anything there helps.